Beginner detailer advice/ full product list

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muscleman

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Hey, guys I'm 21 this is my first time detailing cars as a business, and first time buffing or polishing anything but headlights. i am gonna order the PC 7424 xp, I really need any advice possible to help me out and a full list of products i will need , nothing expensive but not crap either just good cost efficient products for production detailing / detailing for public/used car dealers. looking to work my ass off and prove myself in this business. FYI I am a college student as well.
 
Also the services I am wanting to provide are pretty much anything from wash and vac all the way to a full detail inside and out
 
most will say got Mike Phillips and Renny Doyle books, starting out not too expensive no where near, most reasonable prices but more important a quality product and reputation MEGUIARS is good otc and from AUTO GEEK.
 
Thanks for the reply, I planned on buying the Renny Doyle book but do not have time before my first few cars which start in less than a week, and the products do not have to be over the counter just looking for effective products that don't cost alot per use and can buy in bulk if needed for example a wash , wax, clay , quick detailer, the right pads for the PC 7424 xp basically am trying to keep expenses on product to a minimum while still proving a quality job.
 
YO\ou really need to read mikes book, to say no time for learning correct methods personally makes me leery.
When I detail someones car there is one thing I never want said after I leave and have it get back to me. "That guy was a HACK" or any other negitive word. It will get around fast and your dead in the water.

However since you seem to cars lined up, you should at least look through How to make money detailing cars - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum
and
Tricks, Tips and Techniques - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

If you take the time to read the different topoics and threads you will learn much more. If you read Mike and Rennys books you will save yourself many unneeded mistakes.

As for products we all have our favorites. Mine are mostly from 3D HD not carried by auto geek. going off the shelf,, all Ill say is Megs, Mothers, and I have found I like Surf City pretty good.
 
Really appreciate it man ! And Im not going in blind I have bought and sold used cars for 2 years and detail all my own as well as done some detailing for a dealer friend but my main concern is getting the best bang for the buck in my product and my bigger issue is i have no clue what pads to use for my da polisher to make sure i don't damage the car. And I just ordered renny doyles book.
 
I would suggest doing a lot more research before you start a detailing business. As you research and learn from other people on the forums and youtube, you'll slowly build a product list.

Here is a link to the majority of Mike's articles: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...722-car-detailing-articles-mike-phillips.html

Take your time and go through everything, take notes and then come back and ask questions. You'll learn more by asking specific questions after you've understood the general basic concepts.

Also, use the forum search function, there are hundreds of threads just like this with a lot of great information.
 
Great advice , I appreciate all the help from everyone i will read the book, keep researching and keep it simple till I get all the bases covered but just one last question , what is a decent pad to use to polish or glaze a vehicle for an inexperienced detailer. and a good polish or glaze product.
 
I was thinking meguiars m205 but not really sure on the pads
 
I would invest in some Meguiars M105 and M205, and some Meguiars D151 as your Aio if just starting out.

Lake country makes nice pads, get the 5.5 inch , I like the flat pads and a 5inch backing plate. Plenty of good microfibers. That should cover polishing, and cleaning up most paint jobs, at a good price point for the materials used.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using AG Online
 
Im going to suggest learning alot about the industry before going down to business so quickly. Mike phillips wrote an article on how most businesses in the detail industry fail so quickly because of mismanagement. Im not saying dont go for the business. However, work yourself a bit more towards a more refined idea
 
I would definitely recommend READING Mike's book!!! Don't know what kind of technology you have at your disposal but you can download it to a phone and have it for reference as you work
 
Blaze5154 said:
I would definitely recommend READING Mike's book!!! Don't know what kind of technology you have at your disposal but you can download it to a phone and have it for reference as you work
Click to expand...

Wish it was on kindle. no iphone here
 
For the cars you said you have lined up, what detailing are going to be doing on them? Wash, wax, and interior? I you want to prove yourself in any business then only offer services that you are proficient doing. If you don't know what pads to use on the PC then I am guessing you aren't proficient using it for more than maybe spreading wax.
As far as buying products in bulk when you only have a couple cars lined up, it's Not cost effective to start a business investing in inventory of products you may not need. The best thing to do is buy products you're familiar with. Optimum(OPT) makes great products that are very economically priced. For now I would say you could buy there car wash shampoo, ONR/wash&wax, spray car wax, GPS, Power Clean, and Opti-clean. These products could always be used on just about any car you work on. And most of the products can be purchased for $30-$40/gallon. Meguiar's is also a great manufacturer with a very diverse product offering.
Are you going to be claying vehicles? What tools/equipment do you have for detailing, besides a PC?
 
My current items are, shop vac , 2 buckets, microfiber towels, micro wash mitt, grit guard, nano skin prep sponge medium grit ( to replace clay), meguiars quick detailer (small), meguiars interior detailer (small), Eagle one A2z wheel and tire cleaner (small), zena shine acrylic dressing, all i need are glass cleaner, pads for the PC and the polish or glaze...and after i get more business I plan on using griots and meguiars gallon size products
 
May be helpful to separate yourself from others as using the TERM DETAILING in the industry, I have quite a few folks close in my area that advertise as DETAILERS, but doing PAINT CORRECTIONS for peanuts so the next SO CALLED DETAILER has to offer the same service at close to same rates, because the first guy was looking for that quick buck. So on my website & service menu/price list I offer only DETAILING service as packages PAINT CORRECTION is a separate entity rates by the hour.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-detailing-vs-paint-correction-explained.html
 
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